Portable cutting and welding machine



June 30, 1931. J. L. ANDERSON PORTABLE CUTTING AND WELDING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet l vFiled NOV. l2, 1950 June 30, 1931. v J. L. ANDERsoN 1,811,835

PORTABLE CUTTING AND WELDING MACHINE Filed Nov. l2, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ln N m @en E @1&5

June 30, 1931. J; L, ANERSON l 1,811,835

PORTABLE CUTTING AND WELDING MACHINE Filed Nov. l2, 1930 -7.Sheets-Sheet 3 EN d' rh June 30, 1931. J. L. ANDERSON 1,811,835

PORTABLE CUTTING AND WELDING MACHINE Filed Nov@ 12, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 30, 1931. J. L. ANDERsoN .1 1,811,835

1 PORTABLE CUTTING AND WELDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 12. 19550 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 N l VENTOR 1' A TTORZEY June 30, 1931.

J. L. ANDERSON PORTABLE CUTTING AND WELDING MACHINE Filed Nov. l2, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 BY Y f v A TTORZEY June 3o, 1931. J. L. ANDERSON 1,811,835

PORTABLE CUTTING AND WELDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 12, 41930 'Y Sheets-Sheet 7 LM, 51 #ZXM l Patented June 30, 1931 j n UNITED STATESI 1min-:larv ciu-Fica J' L. ANDERSON, 0F TENAFLY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TOk AIB REDUCTION COH- IPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF 'YORK PORTABLE CUTTING AND WELDING MACHINE Application led November 12, 1930. Serial No. 495,047.

The invention relates to the type of machine for cutting or- Welding metals consisting of.

a small, portable, self-supporting, wheeled torch-carnage, motor-driven and adapted to U travel on a track or on the'surface of the work, or other underlying surface. For straight-line work the'carriage is usually mounted on a track. For circular Work, a radius rod having a cutter is applied to the carriage and set so that the carriage will travel in an arc on two wheels at one side of the carriage.

It is customary to provide the carriage with a torch-arm by means of which the torch can be adjusted at various distances outward from the side of the carriage. In straightline cutting this enables 'a series of cuts to be made parallel With each other Without disturbing the setting of the track, and in general it enables the carriage to be operated along a course at such distance from or vdegree `of proximity to the line of' cut or weld as may be most convenient under the particular conditions. For (circular work the adjustment of the torch position relatively to the carriage 'and to the center is an a'id in performing circular cutting or Welding on arcs of diierent radius. Various radii can be secured either by adjusting the center or by adjusting the torch, or by adjusting both, y but hitherto the, constructionV of these machines has confined the torch to a position at the opposite side of the carriage from the torch or in front of the carriage.

In straight-line cutting, the lateral adjustment of the torch secured by a laterally overhanging torch arm having means for adjusting the arm or the torch in the direction of the length of the arm, makes possible offset cuts and various irregular and angular cuts, as by stopping the motor which drives the carriage, manually running the torch Vout to make a cut deviating from'tle former cut,

. 4,5' and then restarting the motor so as carry thecut onward along a-new line. Y

Such machines have had Wide use for executing a variety of straight-line and' circular cutting including combinations of such cuts, and they are 'also suitable for welding b y slubstituting a welding torch for a cutting torc An object of the present invention is greatl to extend the range of usefulness of a mac ine of this character.

' The success and economy of cutting metal by means of gases is dependent upon. the

:maintenance of exact speed adjusted to the oxygen consumption for the particular thickness of metal. Adjusted regulation and maintenance of speed is no less important Afor welding. Previously,l adjustable fricF tion regulators have'been employed in connection with the electric motors'which drive these machines, but-the control thus obtainable is only approximate and it has been impossible to holdthe speed constant notwithstanding fluctuations in line voltage.

Change-speed gearings have been resorted to i in order to secure a range of cutting speeds, but the range has been inadequate and the adjustment of speed to a particular set of'.

conditions has been diiiicult and uncertain and dependent on the judgement of the operator. I

In the present machine the electric motor is connected with the drive Wheels by an irreversible reducing 'gearing of fixed ratio, and the motor is governed by a centr'fugal makeand-break Vgovernor having an adjustable control which enables the torch-carriage to be'driven at an speed variable by continuous increments rom about two inches a minute to about thirty inches, with perfect uniformity at any speed for which it may be adj usted, v j

Another feature of the invention is the provision ofA a clutch having an operating control on the outside of the carriage and operable to connect and disconnect the drive to the Wheel supports at a point between the drive wheels and an irreversible gearing driven by the motor. A translation-speed indicator is connected with the drive in a-manner to be operated when the clutch isopen and the motor running with the carriage at rest, as .well as when the carriage is traveling.

In this Way very important advantages are realized. The motor and drive can be started and adjusted to a given cutting or welding speed shown by the indicator while the carriage is stationary, and the gases can then be turned on through the torch and the clutch thrown in to start the carriage and torch in movementiat the predetermined -speed practically at once. Adjustment of the cutting or welding speed to a rate shown by the indicator makes possible more effective and economical work than could be performed with thel former machines in which it was necessary to adjust the speed during the travel of the carriage according to the appearance of the operationto the eye of the operator.

Together with these controls, switches lare provided for not only turning on and ofi cur` rent to the motor but also for reversing the direction of the motor. I.

It is therefore possible to move the present machine at regulated speed either forward or backward, and to arrest the movement at j any point, where the torch may be displaced laterally by'hand to make a cross-cut to a point where motor-driven cutting is resumed in either the forward or backward direction. Furthermore, by throwing out the clutch, the. carriage can be moved freely in either direction notwithstanding the irreversible gearing. Heretofore, it has been necessary either to lift and carry the machine, or to slide it with. its wheels locked, from one position to another, in setting up the machine on its track or in spotting'the torch on the work, operations which were laborious and detrimental to the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which is inherently counterbalanced against the weight of the overhanging torch and adjustable torch arm, and in which all driving mechanism is enclosed away from slag. The body of the machine is low hung and very broad between the wheels v in comparison with it height, and is conall gearlng.

structed as a box-like casting with a removr able closure plate to contain the driving mechanism, all of which is disposed close to the horizontal the motor itsel being set vertically into an opening in the top wall of the`body. At thev top of the motor is the centrifugal make-andbreak governor with its adjusting knob.

Lateral compartments of the integral body `ae provided to. shroud forward drive wheels,

the live axle of which passesy through the main compartment containing all the drive The trailing wheels are also shrouded in carriers, which are swiveljointed to brackets projecting from the rear corners of the box body. y f

Heretofore, it has been customary` to have a' single trailing wheel,'trailingbehind one of the forward driving wheels, but in the present machine a four-wheel support is provided, not merely for' stability ut in order that the carriage vcan be constrained to cirlane through the live axle,

cular movement on two wheels at one side or at the other, at will. l j

For circle cutting i-t is necessar to a Ply a radius rod having a center, an to just `Vthe center so as to lift the near wheel support one side of the carriage, or in front of the car-v riage, while the radius rod was lattachable to project from the opposite side of the carriage. a

In the present machine, the radius rodv is attachable so as to dispose the center at either side of the carriage, and preferably,

also, the torch-arm is positionable and adjustable so that the torch can be carried at either side of the machine at will, and so that the torch and the center can be placed at any desired distance from or degree of proximity to each other. cutting operations to be performed which would otherwise be difficult or impossible,

`and enables the speed of movement of the torch to be increased or decreased with re- ,spect to the speed of the driving wheels. For example, with a long radius and the drive wheel between the center and the torch, the torch must travel at a speed greater than the carriage, whereas with a short radius and This enables various circleboth the torch and the center at the same side of the drive wheel the speed of the torch is less than .that of the carriage. By tilting the carriage so that its rolling support is confined to the drive wheel andtrailing wheel at one side or at the other as the case may be,

the utility 'of the machine for circular cutting is greatly extended. l

Furthermore, the interchangeable and adjustable positioning of torch and center at the same kside or at opposite sides of the machine, or reversely, enables the machine to travel either inside or outside the arc of a cut or weld, which is of advantage in the cutting of rings andv for other purposes, and enables various conditions to be taken into account, such as lwhether it is desirable that the carriage is to run o n the Work or on some other surface.

In order to increase the versatility of the machine, the adjustable torch arm is constructed at both ends to receive a torch-carrier. Thus, the torch can be carried at either end of the torch arm, or two torches can be carried in laterally spaced relation on the carriage'. y

Furthermore, two vertical mountings, laterally spaced on the carriage, are provided for a post or posts to support a torch-arm or torch-arms. A single arm is mountable'interchangeably on these posts, depending on the position desired for the torch, or YAYtwo arms with torches can be carried simultaneously. A plurality of parallel cutting or lwelding perations can thus -carried on in different relations to the track on which the carriage travels for straight-line operations.l

A bracket designed to secure the torch ,hose, and preferably also the electrical cable, is attachable to one or other of the vertical mountings which may be available. This rigid anchorage for the hose keeps the torch arm' from being swung or disturbed in case the attendant should fail to keep free the hose lines between the machine and the gas cylinders.

Other objects, features and advantages of the machine will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and from a consideration ofthe accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred' embodiment of the invention.

In the said drawings: Fig.1 is a plan view of the machine, showaing it equipped with a single torch arm and vwith a hose-securing bracket. The positions in which. these are mounted can be inter'-v changed.' Neither the radius rod which is applled for circular cutting, nor the track used for straight cuttingfis shown. 'The super:

structure casing on the'motor which houses the regulator is in horizontal section.

Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of .the machine Without torch arm, hose bracket or radius rod, and showing a portion broken away and in section.

Fig. e is a. bottom plan View, with the bottom plate removed and portions in section.

Fig. 4 is avertical longitudinal sectiontaken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, showing the torch arm and the hose bracket in the saine relative positions as in Fig. 1. The track is shown in this view.-

F ig. 5 is `a vertical transverse section taken on vthe line 5-5 of Fig. 3, also showing the track.

Fig.' 6 is a rear elevation of the machine,

awa

Flg. 7 is a detail sectional view. Fig. 8isan electrical diagram. --1

Figs. 9-17 Vare diagrams indicating some 'of the numerous arrangements of At e machine and its attachments for -straight-line and circular work.

The'body 2 of the torch-carriage of the, machine comprises ya broad and low hollow casting formed with a top wall3, front-fand rear walls 4, 5 and side walls 6. 'Spaced outvwardly from these sidewalls are other depending walls 7 to form lateral com rtments 8. The main compartment 9is c osed is held to the walls 4, 5y and 6 b 11. This compartment housesl all t e mechanism for driving the carriage, protecting it from slag resulting from cutting or welding operations'.

Shrouded. in the lateral compartments 8 are two driving wheels 12, located for ardl These wheels are iixedto the opposite en s of a live axle 13, which extends across the forward, lower portion of the interior of the main compartment of the body to revolve in bearings 14 in the inner side walls 6,

The peripheriesy of these wheels lare grooved to operateon a special typeof track 15 consisting of a one-piece structural section presenting a pair, or pairs, of parallel flanges A16 serving as rails, vconnected by a web 17 having openings 18 cut out of it,for

lightening andl to afford hand-holds. The section preferably has two sets of flanges projecting at opposite sides ofthe web, either pair of flanges being adapted to be the rails while the other pair rest firmly upon any available underlying support or supports. Such a track is suliiciently light, yet so rigid that it-can be eifectively used as a solid way for the torch carriage when spanning distant supports after the manner of va. beam.

One' fiange of each wheel, preferably the` inner flange 19, is of larger diameter than the other flange and is knurled, to facilitate opu erations ip which the wheels, or one of them,

travels directly on the surface of the work.A

Projecting rearward from the main body 2 of the torch-carriage, at opposite sides, are two rigid brackets 20 formed to provide lugs 21, which are embraced by lugs 22of trailingwheel carriers 2 3. These carriers are conl structed to shroud two trailing wheels 24, each secured in its carrier by an axle 25.

The members of the sets of lugs 21, 22 areA pierced by vertical pintles 26 forming hinge connections. The trailing `wheel carriers, thus connected to the body, can be locked with the trailing wheels in line with the forward driving wheels', or at any desired ang-le,

by means of thumb-screws 2'( vwhich are threaded through thelcarriers to bear against vthe lugs 21. with the superstructure of the motor broken 'The peripheries of the wheelsare grooved like': thel peripheriesof the driving Aat the bottom by a removable plate 10, which` screws wheels -for engagement with the track, and

theirinner ianges' 28 are of larger diameter than the outer flanges and are preferably knurled for rolling on aplane surface.

- The brackets 20 are joined by an integral rib 29, whichis spaced a. considerable disf tance away from the outside of the rear wall 5 of the boxed body vof the carriage. This rib is'not onlyfa strengthening member but also-serves as a carrying handle and as a protection for a translation-'speed indicator 30,

which is -ap -lie-dto the back of the carriage in'the' space tween it and the rib.

39 in only a fragmentary way in Fig. 5, but it the wheels nearer the center are llfted olf Another rib 31 joining two laterally spaced llgs 32 projecting forward from the body 2 ords a handle at the front in addition to that at the back of the machine.

Each of the front lugs 32 is formed with a vertical socket hole 33 (Fig. 2), adapted to receive a'stem 34 on the lower end of a torcharm post 35 or a similar stem on the lower end of a hose and cable bracket 36. The lower end of the stem is threaded in each case to receive a nut 37 by means of which the post or the bracket is removably clamped in place. The post and the bracket are interchangeable in the lugs, so that the torch-arm post can be disposed in vertical position toward either side of the carriage depending upon the conditions of. the operation to be performed, the bracket being .placed in the other available position. Two torch-arm posts may be supplied with the machine and may both be mounted in the vertical sockets for certain operations, the bracketbeing then removed will be understood that it is of considerable length. The distance of the center 40 from either side of the carriage is adjusted by moving the rod in or out, and the rod is clamped in any desired position by two thumb-screwsv 41 associated with the radius-rod sockets.

The center is movable vertically in a holder 42 fixed to the rod (or adjustable thereon), the stem of the center being preferably screwthreaded to engage an internal screw-thread in the holder. The center can be screwed down to bear on the surface of 'the work, or other surface, and by further screwing to lift the near wheelsv of the carriage off the surface. On the other hand, the center 'can be screwed up and, a weight 43 (Fig. 12) having been applied to the rod, the far wheels can be lifted.,

For most circular or circular-arc cutting the underlying surface so-that the carriage travels on the wheels at the farther side. Because the center can be disposed outboard from either side of the carriage, the machine can be operated to cut or weld in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions'. It is important, therefore, that the carriage be provided -with four-wheel support rather than the customary three-wheel support, and

. There are various operations for which this is desirable. .i

The torch-arm 44 is removably applied to the torch-post bya split clamp fitting 45 which is formed with a transverse guide holder 46 through which the torch-arm is slidable. 'l/he torch-arm is usually carried in a transverse position over the forward part of the carriage, on a post 35 mounted vertically in one or the other of the sockets 33 in the laterally v spaced luUs 32. The arm 44, which like the interior of its guide is preferably rectangular in cross-section, is provided on one face with a rack 47 meshed by a pinion 48 (Fig. 5) on a shaft 49 which is rotatable. in the guide and has a handle 50. By turning this handle the torch-arm can be shi ed'in the direction of its length, to position the torch 51 nearer to or farther from the side of the carriage, or to make cross cuts,- and also, in circular cuttings, to vary the distance between the torch and the center 4Q.

In former torch-arms of this character, the torch could be carried at one end only of the arm,'whereas the present arm is construct'ed to carry the "torch at either end, or to carry two.torchesl at its opposite ends, thereby enlarging the capabilities of themachine. Accordingly, both ends of the arm are' formed with cylindrical seats 151 adapted to receive the clampy socket 52 at one end of an elbow fitting 53 of known form. The clamp` socket 54 at the other end of this elbow receives stud 55 projecting laterally from the torch-holder 56, also of known construction. A shaft 57 (Fig. 5), rotatable in this holder by means of a hand-wheel 58, has a. pinion`59 meshing a rack 60 on the torch for the purpose of adjusting the torch in the direction offits length. the torch is usually carried, this adjustment raises or lowers the torch, but the torch can be disposed at various inclinations or even horizontally. The hinge joints at 52 and 54 lpermit of any desired angular adjustment.

The encased electric motor 61 which drives the machine is disposed with it's armature shaft vertical and extending downward in the. main chamber `9 ofthe enclosed low-hung body 2'. The motor is set into anopening' in the top wall 3 with its lower portion 62 sunk into the chamber, so that the center of gravity of the motor is as low as possible.

An encased worm-gear unit 63 connects the downwardly extending armature shaft, which will be understood as being enclosed in this unit, with a short shaft 64 whichjis disposed horizontally ina-,fone and aft direction in the mechanism chamber 9.

On the front end of this shaft there is a a short vertical shaft 67. This shaft carries'another worm V68 which drives worn1'6'5 which engages a worm-wheel 66 on lsposed Aa worm-wheel 69 on la barrel -70'loosely mounted on the drive axle 13,'but held against .longitudinal motionnthereon. One end of this barrel is formedvwith teeth, or otherwise, to constitute one element 72 of a clutch. A shiftable clutch element 73, feathered onthe axle, is normally pressed ,by a

spring into engagement with the clutch element 72, to close the driving connection be.- tween the axle and the irreversible reducing gearing driven by the motor.

The clutch element 73 can be shifted mam' ually to open the driving connection, and for this purpose a fork 74 enga mg a `grooved collar. 75 of said element is xed to the lower end of a vertical control shaft 76 journaled in a bearing 77 extending .downward from the top wall 3. The upper end of this shaft extends above the top wall and v has a clutch control arm 78 in a convenient position for operation. A spring-,pressed pin 79 in the handle knob 80 of this arm will engage non-positively* with a depression 8l on the -top o the carriage, to hold the clutch in the open condition.

It will be observed that all Aof the drive mechanism between the motor and the drive wheels 12 is arranged at a low level, close to the horizontal plane through the drive axle. The rear end of the shaft 64 is connected by a coupling 82 with the shaft 83;.of the speed indlcator 30.' This speed indicator is built like a tachometer and special illustration of its mechanism is therefore unneces 'speed instantly and accurately, themotor 61v is provided with a particular form of.

i governor 86, which is housed ina light super#- structure 87 on top ofthe motor. This governor has a plate 88 Which-is secured to the upper end 89 of the armature shaft and which carries on its underside two conduc# tor rings 90 and 91 contacted by two brushes 92 and 93 included in the motor circuit.

Two brackets 94 and 94* on t'op of the plate 88 are electrically connected with the rings 90 and 91, respectively, and secured to these brackets are two spring blade arms 95 and 96 having contact points at their ends which normally touch each other. The blade 95 is limited in it's movement by a link 97 terable 'to provide .a separate starting connected to, a bell-crank lever 98, one armof which is acted u n byv a speed-adjusting screw 99 threade through the top of the superstructure 87 and havinga readlly acces.

sible operating knob 100. When the motor is in operation centrifuga force acts on the make-and-break arms 95 and 96 of the governor, and when the speed is high enough, depending upon the adjustment of the screw 99, the arm 96 is moved away from the arm 95, momentarily breaking the motor circuit. The result of this\is to keep the speed from increasing or to cause it to slacken lmperceptibly, whereupon the contact points p of the arms touch each other again, restoring the circuit and sustaining the speed. Byv these slight fluctuations in thecircuit, the

speed of the motor is held remarkably uniform at any value to which the governor may be adjusted by the screw. The linear speed s of the carriage being shown on the indicator 30, the operator is not left to judgethe speed at which cutting or welding vis to be conducted.

The resistors consisting of conductors 101 are embedded in enamel 150 baked -in av recess in the upper surface of the bottom plate 10, to I be connected in circuit with the motor for op I eratlon on elthev 110 or 220 voltv circuits.

The motor may also be adapted to' operate on either direct or alternating current. Switches may be provided inside the housed body for setting the motor to operate on either kind of current and on either voltage. The arm 102 of one of these switches is .shown in Fig. 7. The arms of these switches are locked-in one position or the other by recessed blocks 103 held in place by screws 104. TheV two switch-locking blocks are shown in Fig.

3, onebearing designations for 110 and 220 volts andthe `other forA. C. and D. C. current. By'reversing each block end for end, the corresponding switch can be locked in a different position.A The designations on thev under faces of the blocks being visible throu h windows 105 in the bottom plate, plain in cation of. the setting of the motor 'circuits is afforded.

The manner in which the embedded resistors 101 are incorporated and made integral with the bottom plate'V 10 of the carriage is a matter of importance. The considerable amount of heat" given oli' by these resistors l is developed at a region removed from parts which might be adversely affected, and the entire bottom plate serves as an extended heat dissipator and as a conductor of heat to thebody of the carriage, where-it is further disrsipated.

The motor is a reversible motor, andthe handle 106 of areversing switch is disposed on the top wall of the body. This yswitch might also'be a stopping switch, but it is prefand stopping switch having ahandlelo, also control 78 are disposed in proximity to each other in exposed positions so as to provide for ina receptacle 110 m t convenient and certain manipulation.

vThe currentis brought in throu h acable 108 attached to a plu 109 which 1s inserted of the carriage.

It will be convenient at this point to refer to the' wiring diagram, Fig. 8. Assume that the current passes from the receptacle 110 by way of wire 111 to the reversing switch, and that this switchis in such position that the current passesto contact 112. It proceeds along wire 113 to the connection point 114. If the voltage switch 115 is open, which wouldbe the case if this switch .is set for operation of the motor on a 220 volt circuit, the current will proceed from point 114 through both resistors 101* and 101", and by way of wire 116 to the starting and stopping switch 117. If the switch 115 is closed, the current will proceed from point 114 by way of wire 118 to the switch 115 and thence to wire 119, thence through resistor 101b onl f-(the.110 volt resistor), to wire 116 and t us to the starting and stopping switch 117. In either case the current passes from switch l117 by. way of wire 120 to the armature 121 of the `motor, through this armature to wire 122V to contact 123 of the reversing switch 112, to wire 124, thence to the contacts of the centrifu al make-and-break governor 86, thence by wire 125 to the field 126 of the motor, and thence by wire 127 back to the receptacle 110. A-condenser 128 is connected in shunt with the contacts of the governor 86 by wires 129 and 130. The A. C., D. C. current switch- 131 in conductor 129 is closed when the-motor is to operate on one of these kinds of current and is open when the machine isset to operate on the other kindof current.

When the reversing .switch is thrown to the.i other position, the path of the current through the armature is reversed, and the armature' consequently rotates-in the reverse direction,

to drive the carriage forward or backward as the case may be.

ferred to in an earlier part of -t-he specification hastwodouble-ended hose nipples132 fixed in it. The ends'of these nipples at one side of the bracket receive the ends of supply hose 133 for oxygen and combustible gas respectively. The other ends of the nipples- 4take the ends of short hose len hs 134, which areconnected at their opposlte ends to the torch. This hose bracket securel mounted on the body of the carriage and aving the hose fixed to itkeeps any pull on the supply hose from" movin the torch.

TlhoseY brac etis also?. preferably provided with a th'unble 135 through which the cable 108 is Y e top wall of the body Vgrojectin `from-the top wall of the body. l he switc controls 106 and 107 and the clutch The mode of operation ofthe machine andits capabilities will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Certain of the advantages of the invention and certain 'of the operations which can-be performed have been set 'forth and others. will be4 obvious from the descrip- Y tion anddrawings.

Figs. A9 to 17 illustrate Fig.- .16 shows the possibility ofexecuting parallel cuts o r welds with two torches' 51 ontwo torch arms 44 `applied to two of the torch-arm posts 35 mounted vertically in the laterially spaced sockets at the front'of the carriage.- The arrows indicate adjustment of the arms to .vary the distance between the cuts or welds. 'In this, particular case the hose-bracket 36 would .be removed from the carriage. In Fig. 17 twojtorches are carried at opposite ends of the same torch arm.

schematically -some A fof the possible adjustments and operations. y

Fig. 15 illustrates a use of the machine in which a torch-arm post 35 is applied to one of the radius rod sockets so` as1to project laterally from the machine.` 'The torch-arm 44 is indicated as extending downward, and the torch 51 as projecting laterally from the lower' end of the arm, to operate below the carriage on work which may be disposed vertically.' The arrowsindicate adjustments i of the torch-arm and of; the torch. In such a case the arm 44 can. also-.be disposed vertically above'the post, to upport the torch in an elevated position. 4lmerous other d1spositions of the torchan angularly, are obtainable.

'Fi 9 and 11 illustratecircular cutting .or

welding with the torch and center at o po machine. In these cases the carria travelsinside of the arc of the cutor wel -vario'us adjust' ments thereof, `vertically;ehorizontally, or i In Figs. 10 and 12 the carriage moves out'- side the arc described by the torch jet or jets. .In Fig.- 10 both torch and center vare at the right-hand side ofthe carriage and in Fig. 12 both ar'e' at the left-hand side. The

iuslrod and center make it possible to propel the jetsin arcs varying. from those of small radius to those of long radius. It will be observed that. by placingthe torch and center at the same s'ide'of the machine arcs of veryshort radius can -be cut. Thus, in Figs. 10 'and 12 the torch and center can "be ad'ustability ofthe torch'L arm and ofthe The hose vbracket 36 which has been rerad brought much closer together than has been l shown for purpose of illustration.

The center .canbe screwed'up'or down to cause thecarr1age-to' travel circularly either .on the pair of whe'els nearer to the center or on the pair of wheels farther from the center. For the former purpose a weight 43 may be used to weight the center down andto'lift the far wheels.

v ,connected w vmi regulator vassociated with the motor,

Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate two possible dispositions of this kind. In Fig.. 13 the wheels nearer tothe center are lifted from the work or other support and the carriage rolls upon the far'wheels. The ratio Aof the torch speed to the wheel speed is as the ratiobetween the distance from the torch to the center to the distance from the far wheels to the center. In Fig. 14 the carriage travels on the 1 wheels nearer the center, the far wheels being 'lifted and carried idly. In this in-l stance, obviously, the torch speed is higher in relation to the wheel speed. This findsv practical application, Afor example, in cases 15 in which circles or arcs of fairly small radius are to be cut. With the torch and center placed on the same side of the machine, and the machine therefore traveling outside the arc of cutting, the speed at which 2 the torch can be movedaround its smaller circle is necessarily less than the speed at which the carriage is driven. If the maximum speed at which the wheels can" be revolved would produce a speed at the torch too low for eiiicient cutting when the carriage travels on the far wheels as in Fig. 13',"

the carriage'can be tilted as in Fig. 14 to travel on the nearer .pair of wheels, thereby securing a substantialgain in speed for the e vvention has been described in detail, it will be understood that numerous changes may be.

' made without departing from essentials. The torch which has been represented may be either a cuttin torch or a welding torch, or a combined we ding and cutting torch. By the substitution of an electrode, the machine may be used for electric welding.

Iclaim:x

1. A machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising the combination of a portable wheeledtorch-carriage capable of traveling on a `track or on the surface of the work, a motor in 5 speed regulator associated with the motor, a

I carriage, an adjustable drive mechanism throu h whichv said motor drives part'of the whee sup ort of the carriage, a translation-speed in 'cat'r connected with the drive mechanism, and a manually .operable clutch interposed between said mechanism and the driven part of the wheel support to connect and disconnect the same from the drive while-said indicator remains 2. A machine for cutting or `welding of metals, compising'the combination; of a portable wheeled torch-carriage capable of travelingfon a track or on the surface of the work, a motor in the carriage, an adjustable drive mechanism including an irreversible gearin through which said motor drives part o the. wheel support of the carriage, a manually operable clutch interposed between said irreversible gearing and the driven part ofthe wheel support, and a translation speed indicator connected with the drive mecha- I nism at the other side of said gearing from `the clutch.l

3. A machine for cutting or welding of portable wheeled torch-carriage capable of ling the motor circuit, a device for adjusting said governor to obtain any desired uniform speed within a continuous extended range of speed adjustments, and reducing gearing through which said motor drives part; 0f the wheel support of the carriage.

4. A machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising the combination of a. portable wheeled torch-carriage :capable of traveling on a track or on the surface of the work, an electric motor om the carriage, a governor driven by the motor and controlling the motor circuit, a'device for adjusting said governor to obtain any desired uniform speed within a continuous extended range of speed adjustments, a drive.` mechanism through which said motor drives part of the wheel support of the carriage, and a translationspeed indicator connected with said drive mechanism. v

5. A machine for cutting or welding, of metals, comprisin the comblnation of a port-` ablef wheeled torc -carriage capable of travcling on a track or on the surface of the work, an .electric motor on the carriage, a governor -driven bythe motor. and controlling the motor circuit, a device for adjusting said governor to obtain any desired uniform speed within a continuous extended range of speed adjustments, drive mechanism. including an irreversible gearing through which said mocarriage, a manually operable clutch interposed tween said irreversiblel .gearing and the driven partof the wheel support, and a traveling onv a track or on the surface of the work, an` electric motor on the carriage al governor driven by the motor and controltor drives part of the wheel support of thel metals, comprising the combination of a Y ioo translation-speed indicator having' a connection with the drivemechanism unaffected by the o ration of said clutch.

6. machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising, in combination, aportable wheeled torch-carriage capable of traveling on a track or on the surface of the work,

a reversible electric motor in said carriage, a`

drive mechanism Aincluding an irreversible gearing through which said motor drives part of the wheel sup rt of the carriage, switch controls for turning on and of the current to the motor and reversing its direction of r0- tation, and a manually'operable clutch inter- Vposed between said irreversible gearin'g and the driven part of the wheel support of the Y carriage.

7. A machine forL cutting or welding of metals, a portable wheeled torch-carriage capable of traveling on a track or on the surface of the work and having provisions for an overhanging torch-arm and a radius rod, the .body of said carrlage being very low 1n comparison with its width between the wheels, a live axle extending across the forward part of the carriage to turn two of said wheels, a motor place-d low in the carriage, and mechanism extending from said motor to drive Said axle, all of said drive mechanism lying close to the horizontal plane through said axle.

8. A machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising a portable wheeled torchcarriage capable of traveling on a track or on the surface of the work and having provisions for an overhanging torch arm and a radius rod, a live axle extending across the forward part of the carriage to turn two of the wheels, a motor placed in said carriage with its armature shaft extending downward within the carriage behind said axle, and gearing between said shaft and axle, all lying close to the horizontal plane through the axle.

9. A machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising a portable wheeled torchcarriage capable of traveling on a track or on the surface of the work and having provisions for an overhanging torch arm and a radius rod, a live axle extending across the forward part of the carriage to turn two of the wheels, a motor in said carriage,` drive mechanism comprising irreversible gearing between said motor and said axle, a clutch on said axle for connecting and disconnecting the same with said drive mechanism and an operating device on the outside of the carriage connected -main compartment and lateral compartments, said body having a top wall, depending side and front walls surrounding the main compartment and additional outwardly spaced walls to form the lateral compartments, a motor over the main compartment, a bottom plate applied to the walls of the main compartment, driving wheels in saidlateral compartments, and mechanism in the main compartment for driving said wheels from said motor. v

12. A machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising a portable wheeled torch carriage having a body provided with a pair of laterally-spaced rearwardly-projecting brackets, trailing Wheel-carriers hinge-jointed to said brackets, and a rib uniting said brackets and constituting a handle.

13. A machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising a portable motor-driven wheeled torch-carriage having a body provided with a pair of laterally-spaced rearthe carriage, and a handle rib spanning the back of the body and protecting said indicator.

16. A machine for cutting or Welding of metals, comprising, in combination, a portable wheeled torch-carriage having a pair of forward-wheels, a pair of trailing wheels, carriers for said trailing wheels hinge-j ointed to the body of the carriage, a motor drive for the forward wheels, a radius rod, and provisions for attaching said radius rod so that the carriage can be constrained to travel about a center at one side of the carriage or atthe other as desired.

17. A machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising a portable wheeled torchcarriage having a box-like body with mechanism housed therein for driving part of the wheel support of the carriage, an electric motor set in said body with its amature shaft vertical and extending downward to ,drive said mechanism, and a centrifugal make-and-break regulator on top of said mop tor and provided with an adjusting knob.

18. A machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising a. portable wheeled torchcarriage having anf integral box-like body divided by walls into a main compartment and lateral compartments, a closure for said main compartment, a motor on the body, a pair of driving wheels shrouded in said lateral compartments, mechanism housed in the main compartment for driving said wheels from said motor, aI pair of shrouds hinge-jointed at the rear end of the body,

and trailing wheels mounted in said shrouds.

' 19. A machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising, in combination, a portable wheeled motor-driven torch-carriage having laterally-spaced vertical sockets, an adjustable torch-arm to support a torch at various distances from thecarriage, and a post to carry said torch arm, said post mountable interchan bly in said sockets.

20. A machine for cutting or Welding of metals, comprising, in combination, a portable Wheeled motor-driven torch-carriage having laterally spaced mounts, an adjustable torch-arm, and a hose-securing bracket, said torch-arm and said hose-securing bracket bein interchangeable on said mounts.

21,. machine for cutting or weldingof metals, comprising, in combination, a .portable Wheeled motor-driven torch-carriage, and a transverse torch-arm .on the carriage adjustable in the direction of its length and constructed at both ends to receive a torchcarrier or torch-carriers.

22. A machine for cutting or welding of, metals, comprising, in combination, a'portable wheeled motor-driven torch-carriage,

' laterally spaced mounts thereon, a transverse torch-arm adjustable in the direction of its length and applicable interchangeably to said mounts, said torch arm constructed at both ends to, receive a torch-carrier or torch-carriers.

23. A machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising, in combination, a porthaving vertical and horizontal sockets, a post applicable to either a vertical orga horizontal socket, and a torch-arm on such post adjustable in the direction of its length.

24. A machine for cutting or-welding of metals, comp in combination, a portable four-wheel l metals, comprisin in combination, a portable four-wlieele motor-driven torch-carriage, means for supporting a torch outward from either side of the carriage, a radius-rod with center and means to so receive said rod Y -as to constrain .the carriage to circular move- *me @aan abledistances from ment about the center at either side ofthe able four-wheeled motor-driven torch-carriage, a radius rod with center applicable to said carriageLan adjustable torch-arm, means carriage having a box-like body, a motor in saidl carriage, mechanism in said body forl driving part of the Wheel support from said motor, an' electrical system in the body for operating said motor either on direct or alternating current at different voltages, shiftable switches in the body to connect the motor f for diierent currents and voltages, and means for locking said switches and showing from the outside of the body the condition for which they are set.

29. A machine for cutting or Welding of metals,`comprising a portable wheeled torch carriage carrying an electric motorand drive mechanism lfor connecting said motor with vpart of the wheel support of the carriage,

said carriage having a box-like body housin said mechanism, a removable plate applied to the bottom of said body, and resistors in electrical relation to the motorysaid resistors being incorporated in an integral maiiner with said bottom plate.

" i JAMES L. ANDERSON.

motor-driven torch-cai'- carria. 1 A I 26. machine Afor cutting or welding of Y in combination, a'portable four-w motor-driven torch-carringe, a radius rodwith center, means to so receive said rod as to constrain the carri to circular movement on either air ofwh about the center disposed tances at either side of the carriage, an adjustable torch-arm, and means for supporting nid torch-arm to the torch at adjusteither side of the car- A 'machine for cutting or welding of metals, comprising, in combination, a porta. jumble die 

